- He has retained his place in the Irish side, ahead of Leicester's Geordan Murphy, for what will be his seventh Test appearance against Wales. He has yet to score against the Dragons

- Has been in good form for Leinster this season, scoring three tries and a conversion in eight games, despite a recent ankle injury. He signed his first contract with the province shortly before Wales' 2005 Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock took over the reins

- His 70th Irish cap will see him equal the mark of Ulster centre Kevin Maggs, who is fifth on the list of Ireland's all-time most-capped players

- He was a replacement for the duration of the 2006 Six Nations tournament, and only got onto the field for last March's Triple Crown-clinching win over England at Twickenham. Only three of his 14 Test tries have come in the Six Nations tournament

- This weekend's clash in Cardiff marks his 55th cap at full-back (including seven appearances as a replacement), and his first Six Nations start since the 2005 tournament. He played nine Tests on the wing between 1998 and 2005, with also six games as a replacement playing out of position

- He played 29 consecutive Tests from the summer of 2003 through to Ireland's meeting with Australia in November 2005 - prior to that run, he missed internationals due to a persistent groin injury

- Came up through the ranks at Terenure College, went on to study at the National College of Ireland and on to provincial and international success. He has scored two tries for Ireland from a wing berth, and 12 as a full-back

- His last Test try was against Romania in November 2005. A former Ireland Under-21 and 'A' cap, he has also scored, on the senior international stage, against Georgia (3), Italy (3), Argentina, England, Japan, Namibia, Romania, Russia (2) and Scotland

- His international career will probably be most remembered for his try in the left corner at Twickenham in 2004 which helped Ireland on their way to securing their first Triple Crown since 1985

PLAYER QUOTES:

ON THE 2007 SIX NATIONS:

"There's definitely a confidence there (regarding our chances of winning it) but I think as a squad we're realistic - we're not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

"There's a lot of public and media hype going around about this being Ireland's year, that we're going to win it and do x, y and z but as a squad we are very realistic.

"We know it is a tough tournament and a tough championship to win.

"You look at England, who have struggled to win it as well in that situation and so we know we have to build on our performances in the autumn series and look at the first game against Wales as our crucial one."

ON FACING WALES:

"Wales are a side who are showing a bit of form - all their regional sides have done well in Europe, and in Magners League they are doing pretty well too.

"They are going to be out to prove a point this weekend, to try and kick start their campaign under their new coach Gareth Jenkins. We simply have to perform to a very high level, because this Welsh side can be very dangerous."

ON COMPETITION FOR THE FULL-BACK POSITION:

"Competition is great, I think it's not just at full-back but all across the board (in this Irish squad). And from my point of view, it's very competitive in my position.

"I think it's just good for all of us. It puts pressure on me and it gives me that impetus that I have to be on my game at all times.

"I prefer the competition. I think I react better when the pressure is on, I enjoy pressure situations - I enjoy someone fighting for the same place in the team and keeping me on my toes.

"The case in point has been Geordan over the last few years.

"He has been playing superb rugby and I have been always put under pressure in the press - questions like 'is he playing well enough? or should he be here?' - but I feel I am answering my critics."

ON HIS RECENT ANKLE INJURY:

"I thought there was some sort of break there. The pain and the noise, I heard a crack. It turned out to be strained ligaments and a lot of fluid on the knee, but they were talking four to six weeks. So, I was pleasantly surprised when it was three to four weeks.

"It's tough, especially with a fellow like Geordan waiting there. You don't want to miss out, you don't want to give anyone a chance to get ahead of you."

ON HIS COACHES AT LEINSTER:

"They (Michael Cheika and David Knox) have just opened my mind to different aspects of the game. David has been very good in getting me to look at things in different ways. He's very influential with the back three. They have helped to reignite me.

"It's amazing how much a factor the mind is. You can be the best in the world, but, if you don't believe it, you won't do it."

The ChildFund 'Pass It Back' Belfast Cup brought together girls from Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos with players from across Ulster to celebrate the power of sport and highlight how rugby is developing in Asia.

Monday was community legacy day at Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 as the IRFU's 'Spirit of Rugby' programme brought together some local disability rugby players from DLSP Eagles, Seapoint Dragons and Westmanstown Wasps, and a number of WRWC players and coaches from the competing nations, for a fun-filled coaching/training session and Tag rugby games.

Monday was a momentous day for the Ireland Women's camp as the 28-strong squad was revealed for the Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil. Head coach Tom Tierney and captain Niamh Briggs spoke to the press at the announcement in UCD.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the Union's 2016/17 Annual Report, which includes increased investment in Women's rugby and addresses the challenges of funding for the game in Ireland.

The launch of a commemorative stamp to mark the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland was a special day for Women's rugby, team captain Niamh Briggs and her family. We spoke to her and her dad Mike at the GPO.

Marie Louise Reilly joined her Ireland team-mates Nora Stapleton and Lindsay Peat at a recent Dublin City Council event in support of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Reilly, who works as a DCC Sports Officer, said: "The team are coming together really well, we're working hard and hopefully August will be really memorable not just for us but for the whole country."

Fiona Coghlan, Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Ambassador and Chair of the Dublin City Sports and Wellbeing Partnership, speaks about Dublin City Council's support of the tournament in August and the momentum and excitement building in the capital and around the four provinces for WRWC 2017.

Felix Jones, who is the visiting coach in Ireland camp this week, spoke to Irish Rugby TV about how 'interesting' and 'valuable' his time in Tokyo has been, and also what the transition from player to coach is like. He retired in October 2015 and is now Munster's back-line and attack coach.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's second Test against Japan, Ireland tour captain Rhys Ruddock said: "We've been happy with the results so far, and there's been bits of the performances we've been really happy with and some bits that we're looking to improve on. Tomorrow marks the last opportunity to go out and do that, so we're all really excited about getting out there now."

Set for his third start of the summer tour, Ireland number 8 Jack Conan said: "We gave ourselves the objective of coming over with three good performances, and I feel like we're one away from that. It'll be another massive 80 minutes and everyone wants to finish the season on a high."

Marking the 50-day countdown, we hear from Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Tournament Director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland forwards Cliodhna Moloney and Paula Fitzpatrick as the tournament, which will be held in Dublin and Belfast from August 9 to 26, draws ever closer.

Highlights from Ireland's 50-22 first Test victory over Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka. Joe Schmidt's men ran in seven tries with two each from Keith Earls, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan, while Garry Ringrose also dotted down.

The Ireland Under-18 and Under-19 squads had a busy Easter period with seven matches played in Ashbourne, Cardiff, Llanelli, Caerphilly and Bordeaux. Check out some of the tries scored. Full match reports are available on www.irishrugby.ie.

Speaking to RTE Radio rugby correspondent Michael Corcoran, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was asked about prioritising players playing in Ireland when it comes to national selection over those who are based overseas.

In an interview broadcast on RTE Radio 1's 'Sunday Sport' programme, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by the summer tour to the USA and Japan, and also looked ahead to next month's Rugby World Cup Pool Draw.

Speaking about working with the provinces and monitoring players' progress, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt told RTE Radio 1: "For us, having the best quality of performance within the provinces, getting some really good coaching from the provincial coaches, which we know is happening at the moment, that's the foundation that we need because in the end we get the players in a match week pretty much."

In an interview with RTE Radio rugby correspondent Michael Corcoran, Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt confirmed that Girvan Dempsey, Felix Jones and Ronan O'Gara will be incorporated into the coaching group for the upcoming summer tour to the USA and Japan.